Packing is stressful, and ensuring that fragile items won’t get destroyed during the move makes it even more suspenseful. With this in mind, allow yourself a few hours – or days – to properly prepare and pack your belongings. The more you plan, the less likely you will make a mistake in your following action.
To help you out, here are our top 5 picks of the best ways to pack fragile items:
- Create a packing strategy.
- Make sure you have the essential packing items you need.
- Wrap fragile items with packing paper and bubble wrap.
- Don’t be afraid to use various sizes of boxes.
- Place some padding on top and below the boxes.
When moving into a new home, there’s a lot to think about, especially after tallying up all those family antiques and valuable breakables you’ve accumulated over the years!
10 Tips For Packing Fragile Items
Packing plates, antiques, and other breakable belongings take plenty of time and planning, so here are ten tips for packing fragile items:
Create a packing strategy.
Get a basic grasp of the fragile items you own and plot how you’ll pack them alongside similar objects before packing any of your delicate stuff. Packing your fragile items correctly takes some time and should not be rushed. You should pack your sensitive belongings in a careful manner that ensures everything arrives safely at your new home if you plan.
Make sure you have the essential packing items you need.
Because moving is costly, don’t be afraid to save money. Join the Freecycle Network or scour online marketplaces for cheap moving supplies for fragile packages. Make your request as specific as possible. For example, when packing fragile objects, “dish bags” are in high demand because they can secure kitchen and bakeware. However, they are also expensive. Online markets, fortunately, make it much easier to connect with people who may have what you need for free.
Wrap fragile items with packing paper and bubble wrap.
It’s critical to stock up on packing materials ahead of time to preserve your valuables during a relocation. Packing paper should be the first line of defense for fragile objects, so use plenty of it as a shock-absorbing layer within your boxes to fill in space. In addition, bubble wrap adds a necessary second layer of protection to your fragile objects by providing additional insulation to protect them during shipment.
Don’t be afraid to use various sizes of boxes.
While you would think that buying boxes that are all the same size will save you time while packing, it’s better to acquire a variety of sizes. For example, heavy products should go inside smaller boxes, with lighter items placed on top of them in larger boxes. With greater diversity, you’ll be able to manage your space better while transporting boxes in the rear of trucks.
Place some padding on top and below the boxes.
At the bottom of each box, place a layer of paper or bubble wrap. When boxes are stacked or moved, this extra layer of padding will prevent them from breaking. Use your table linens or dish towels as protective coverings when boxing kitchen items or dishware—plus, you’ll have fewer things to pack later. Then, before taping the box shut, add a top layer of packing material to keep your items snug and stable.
Prevent cracking by inserting packing paper on empty areas.
Place packing material inside vases, jars, bowls, and canisters to avoid cracking. You can even nest individually wrapped goods together to conserve space, such as your set of mixing bowls, providing it’s safe.
However, this is not a good idea for glasses similar in size to highballs because they will become stuck if there isn’t enough area to nest them.
Tape and label your boxes for an easier unpack.
When filling boxes, it’s tempting to get carried away, so keep an eye on the weight. Overstuffed boxes tend to sag and rip open. Instead, use a lot of tape reinforcement; tape each opening, top, and bottom with heavy-duty tape.
Clearly label fragile items.
You should prominently label fragile items in every box that includes them. Then, put these boxes in a different place and tell movers to be careful with them so they know to pack them in the truck properly.
Know how to handle broken items safely.
If any fragile things fall out of their crates or shatter during moving, proceed with caution. Get everyone out of the line of the shattered glass and start cleaning it up with a high-powered vacuum or safety gloves. Respond appropriately if something else breaks, such as electronics or plastic cleaning bottles.
Before tossing out defective electronics, see what functions and whether they are still repairable. Then, isolate undamaged goods covered in liquids so they can be cleaned up with plastic cleaning bottles, and be especially cautious when dealing with anything flammable. Above all, when dealing with damaged goods, keep yourself and others safe from harm.
Prepare for Unpacking.
With proper packaging and labeling, you should be able to unpack quickly, but keep in mind that you’ll need to plan out how you’ll set up your new home once you’ve moved. It’s easy to become so concentrated on getting everything into boxes that you forget about how to get everything out of boxes later.
Keep a mental note of where you packed specific items, so they don’t get misplaced. To keep everything orderly, label each box with the rooms you’re most likely to unpack them. After you’ve unpacked everything, figure out which supplies you can recycle and which you should preserve for future transportation.
How to pack common fragile items?
So, what about those fragile items that you often use at home? Should keep it deep in your box knowing that you’ll need it soon as you arrive in your new home?
Plates
Plates should be packaged upright in small to medium boxes lined on the bottom and top with crumpled packing paper. Each plate should be wrapped with bubble wrap and taped together. In addition, ensure to place papers between the standing plates. Finally, make sure the box isn’t overstuffed. Dish packs are available for purchase through You Move Me, whether you use our packing service or handle it yourself.
Glasses
To reduce vacant space, wrap glasses separately in packing paper, and tuck crumpled paper within large pieces. You should like the top and bottom of your boxes with plenty of packing paper. Layer paper in the areas surrounding the glasses, decreasing the chances of the goods moving inside the box as much as possible.
Pictures/Frames
When it comes to picture frames, you should place them in small to medium paper-lined boxes and stand if they are larger than 8 inches. Make sure to place crumpled paper between each piece for extra protection. You should also use packing paper to wrap the frames with ease. Then, top frames with different packing paper keep items moving around in the box. Finally, paintings and photographs larger than 3 feet in diameter should be covered in plastic, fastened with a moving blanket, and relocated individually.
TVs
Flat-screen televisions might be challenging to transport. Begin by disconnecting any wires and attachments (such as the stand legs) and placing them in a clearly labeled box. Next, wrap the screen in a soft moving blanket and secure it with packing tape all around the gadget. Finally, tape it shut and set it into the box. Make sure the box is the right size for your television.
Specialty items
It’s crucial to evaluate the piece’s shape and size and any handles or protruding elements easily shatter. Wrap the component in bubble wrap and secure it with tape. Place it on a single piece of cut-out malleable cardboard. Place a piece of cardboard that is identical on top of the item. Then bend the cardboard ends together and tape them together.
Don’t be afraid to use the tape. If necessary, tape the entire piece together. You want the delicate item to be tight and secure. Then, using crumpled paper to fill any gaps, arrange the piece in a paper-lined box nearly the same size as the object. Finally, secure the box with tape and write “fragile” in bold felt marker.
Finally, make sure your movers are aware of any boxes that contain fragile objects.
Conclusion
One of the most stressful aspects of moving is packing fragile goods. It’s understandable to be anxious that these products might break apart during transit. During a relocation, boxes go through a great deal of handling, so it’s critical to take extra precautions with your fragile belongings to ensure their safety and security.
The way you pack your fragile objects is the first step in protecting them. However, it would always be better to employ extra caution regarding the instruments and strategies you use. It is possible to transport even the most fragile goods without causing damage if you take extra care and attention when packing them.
If you ever find yourself stressed out about any packing situation, you can always count on us to provide you with the best packing and moving service in Santa Cruz.
831 Movers
2234 Thomas Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
(831) 212-3330
